Thursday, February 27, 2014

Why celebrate National Surf & Turf day only once every 4 years? Celebrate February 28. And, who said that enjoying surf and turf has to break the bank? Enjoy Da Lobsta’s creative twist with its Surf & Turf Lobster Roll, only $12.95 at both Chicago area locations, including the 12 E. Cedar St. location and the Chicago French Market. Bet you can’t just eat one! The Surf & Turf Lobster is a delicious sandwich featuring beautiful Lobster Claws and meat, Apple Smoked and Maple Glazed Bacon, and Tarragon Mayo served on a New England-style toasted garlic bun. Yum. #ChicagoBestSandwich

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

If there ever was a question as to
whom rules the queendom of Paczki making in Chicago, these photos will help
solve the query. The mother-daughter team of Stasia Hawryszczukand Dobra Bielinski, partners of Chicago’s
Delightful Pastries with brother Robert Hawryszczuk, and his wife Nico Hua rule
the roost. The team, with a handsome able-bodied staff of helpers, is cranking
out delicious homemade Pasczki to the tune of 1000s per day to meet pre-order
demands of 36,000 plump and delicious filled authentic Polish Paczki. If you
think Paczki are the same as doughnuts, think again. The traditional Paczki is
“all about the dough. It’s denser; it’s a yeast dough that doesn’t collapse
when you bite in,” said Dobra.“One of
the reasons ours are so good is that we don’t use any additives; everything is
from scratch – flour, sugar, water, eggs are the base.:Paczki day is an annual tradition celebrated
in Poland tomorrow (on the 27th of February) but here in America, it’s
celebrated on March 4, Fat Tuesday.” Whether you’re a purist, choosing
traditional varieties such as Fresh Strawberry & Whipped Cream, Custard
Topped with Chocolate Fudge, Apricot Jelly, Raspberry Jelly, Rose Petal Jelly,
Plum Butter, or want a gourmet flavor such as Cannoli Paczki or Passion Fruit
Jelly, there’s a Delightful Paczki for every taste. However, it’s Delightful
Pastries “drunken” Paczki that has had helped Delightful make its mark
nationally, with three booze-filled choices: Jameson Whiskey with Chocolate Custard,
Vodka and Custard with Madagascar Vanilla, and Lemon Curd with Moonshine. All
three Chicago area Delightful Pastries locations (Jefferson Park on Lawrence;
Old Town on Wells and the West Loop at the Chicago French Market) will be fully
stocked. Prices range from $2 to $3.25 apiece. Come hungry. It’s impossible to
just eat one. Like Delightful Pastries on Facebook and Follow on Twitter@DelightPastries. Visit http://www.delightfulpastrries.com for more information. You can order Paczki at the Lawrence Ave. bakery at: 773-545-7215.

Reprint from our friend and client Chef Francois de Melogue's blog "Eat Till You Bleed," kind of says it all. Francois is the executive chef of Figue Mediterranean in La Quinta CA. Since Chicago is donut obsessed, we couldn't pass up sharing Francois' delicious Moroccan Donut with Harissa Hot Chocolate #recipe. Beyond fabulous. Perfect for getting out of the winter doldrums.

Who doesn’t love a great
donut? Mmm, those sugary feathery light deep fried puffs rolled in sugar
warming your belly and soul. Donuts are pure magic. They transport
me back to an earlier time when food could cure all that has gone wrong in
life. Donuts, confectionery alchemy at it’s best. Flour, sugar,
butter and eggs transformed into sweet delectable pillows. Donuts, proof
that God does exist. All this donut talk has nearly caused me to short
out my keyboard from the anticipatory drool. I do understand why I am
fat. I love food and quite honestly food loves me.

I won’t kid you, making
these donuts at home will take some skill and patience. Anyone can do it.
Just set aside some time, follow the recipe and prepare to enter Food
Nirvana.

Makes Four Servings:

Moroccan Donuts

1 /2 cup Milk

2 1/2 t. Active dry Yeast

3 cups
All-purpose flour

8 T.
Cold
unsalted Butter, cut into 12 pieces

1/4 cup
Sugar

1 t.
Sweet
Paprika

1 t.
Cinnamon

Pinch
Cayenne

1 t.
Sea
Salt

2 large Eggs

2 large Egg yolks

Heat milk in a small saucepan
until it is just lukewarm. Your body temperature is 98.6 degrees.
If you stick your finger into the milk it should be just slightly warmer then
you. Pour the milk into a small bowl and add yeast. Use a spoon to stir
in 1 cup of the flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside until it
is bubbly and slightly risen, about 20 minutes.

In a food processor, combine
the butter, sugar, spices, salt, eggs and egg yolks. Pulse till butter is
finely chopped and equally distributed throughout the mixture.

Add yeast mixture and pulse to
mix. Add 1 cup of the remaining flour and pulse until the mixture is smooth.
Scrape down the bowl. Add the rest of the flour and pulse again until
well-mixed. Let the dough rest in the food processor for 10 minutes.

Weigh out two ounces pieces and
roll into a log shape. Pinch the ends together, put in a warm place on a
parchment paper lined cookie sheet and let rest till it doubles in size.

Deep fry in 350 degree
oil till brown and crispy on both sides. Roll in granulated sugar mixed
with cinnamon. At the restaurant we are lucky to have deep fryers.
At home I use a large heavy gauged pot filled half way with vegetable
oil. I use a deep fryer thermometer to check temperature. Be
careful not to crowd pot with too many donuts because they will cool the oil
and cause the donuts to soak up more fat. Drain donuts on a cookie sheet
lined with paper towels.

Harissa Hot Chocolate

2-1/4 c
Whole Milk

¼
c. Water

4
oz Grated Valrhona bittersweet Chocolate (Manjari)

¼
c. Sugar

1 Cinnamon Stick

1 Star Anise

1
t. Harissa, or to taste

Pinch
Saffron

Combine everything, boil, pour
into a mug. Caution this hot chocolate is rich and full of flavor.
Your favorite powdered version will not taste good anymore.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

An evening of great food and wine is on tap at “Pour” in support of the Arts4Kids Foundation, 6 p.m., Wednesday February 26 at Bites Asian Tapas, 3313 North Clark, (773) 270-5972.

“Pour” is a popular fundraiser that brings together wine tastings and social awareness. The event features wine and food pairings, as well as special tasting experiences, all in support of a non-profit organization.

Pour events have raised funds for several local and national charities. Arts4Kids aims to introduce children to a variety of arts, hence fostering intellectual and emotional growth as well as enabling to spear through the cultural bearers. Its founder Leonard Mogul has help sponsor cultural trips for underprivileged kids across Chicago.

“It's important that these children are exposed to a different atmosphere and understand there is so much more to life than the small piece of the world they see,” said Mogul in a recent interview.

Bites Asian Tapas serves dishes from countries all over Asia, from Japan to Thailand to China and

Vietnam. The tapas are perfect for sharing. The restaurant’s crafted cocktails are Asian-infused and carefully created to complement the dishes. Bites, which opened this past fall in Lake View, is co-owned by chef Marita Tantivirasut and entrepreneur Asana Nakornchai.

Attendees of Pour will receive a glass of wine from the Love Cork Screw brand and one unique menu item from Bites. Also one attendee will win a prize drawing for a trip for two to Las Vegas.

Tickets to Pour are $25 in advance for tickets and for more information visit Eventbrite.com.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Delightful Pastires is offering a baker’s dozen special: Buy a dozen paczki and GET ONE mystery flavor PACZEK FOR FREE, offer good through 2/19/2014. Did someone say Drunken Donuts? You heard us right. Delightful Pastries has made their Drunken Paczki famous. Three varieties that you’ll be over the moon about: ... Jameson Whiskey with Chocolate Custard; Vodka and Custard with Madagascar Vanilla, and Lemon Curd with Moonshine (available at all three Delightful Pastries locations).

Friday, February 14, 2014

On Monday, February 17, the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., the only movie theater in the Chicago’s Loop Theatre District, will host its second Neighborhood Night. Last July’s event was such a success that the Film Center is eager to host a second one. The Film Center welcomes local workers, visitors, and most notably area residents to experience the unique cinema. Attendees willenjoy member ticket prices for the night, paying only $6 per screening, while Film Center members pay $5. A reception courtesy of Whole Foods Market will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A wide array of films are scheduled for the evening: BAY OF ANGELS (6:00 p.m.), by director Jacques Demy, an elegant French tale of love and destruction; 7 BOXES (6:00 p.m.), a humorous Paraguayan thriller; Juliette Binoche in Auguste Rodin biopic, CAMILLE CLAUDEL 1915 (7:45 p.m.), directed by noted filmmaker Bruno Dumont; and IN NO GREAT HURRY (8:00 p.m.), a documentary by Thomas Leach that focuses on the late pioneer of color photography, Saul Leiter. For tickets and more information, visit www.siskelfilmcenter.org.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

A pleasurable, romantic evening is awaiting those who enjoy their Valentine’s Day (February 14 and 15) at Bites Asian Tapas this Friday and Saturday (3313 N. Clark St., Chicago; (773) 270-5972; bitestapas.com). Bites is a casual, stylish and comfortable Asian bistro in Lakeview featuring a wide range of homemade small plate favorites from Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam, and Korea. The experience at Bites is unique and enticing. A newcomer to Chicago’s dining scene, Bites Asian Tapas is receiving rave reviews: 4.5 out of five stars from Yelp, and UrbanDaddy calls it a "small plates wonderland."

Bites Asian Tapas is owned by Asana Nakornchai and Marita Tantivirasut, formerly of Tank Sushi. The restaurant is open on Valentine’s Day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Regular hours are Mon.-Thurs., 5-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5-11 p.m.; Sun., 5-10 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, please contact Bites Asian Tapas at (773) 270-5972 or send an email toinfo@bitestapas.com. Visit the website atwww.bitestapas.com.

Blue Cod are
found throughout New Zealand, but are most common south of the Cook Strait and
around the Chatham Islands. They are found at depths to 200 m in sandy areas
and feed on shellfish, crustaceans, scalps and small fish.

Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, about 800km east of
Christchurch, the Chatham Islands are New Zealand’s most easterly region. An
archipelago of 11 islands, only Pitt and Chatham are inhabited, by about 600
people.

These bright
blue fish are an island favorite but hard to find in the states. Unique to the
New Zealand region, the cold clean waters make the Chatham Island Blue Cod’s flesh firm
yet delicate with an intense ocean fresh flavor.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

If you're looking for a special way to celebrate Valentine's day, these Chicago area businesses have something to offer every budget. Whether you're looking for an intimate romantic evening, a family celebration, party ideas to celebrate with friends at home and gift ideas, these are our picks for Chicago's best.

Celebrate a Casual Valentine’s Weekend

And Enjoy a Fun Heart-Shaped Pizza with your Sweetie

at Big Chef Burgers in Schaumburg

Celebrating Valentine’s weekend doesn’t have to break the bank. Big Chef Burgers (1602 E. Algonquin Rd., Schaumburg, 847-221-8539) invites you and your sweetie to enjoy a casual yet romantic evening over a heart-shaped homemade Neapolitan pizza Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15. Families welcome.Thirsty, sure you can share a lovely bottle of Chianti or your favorite bubbly. But if you really want a treat, try a spiked “adult” strawberry gelato milkshake with two straws.

Celebrating Valentine’s weekend with special friends and family is an annual tradition and serving luscious lobster makes the occasion even that much more tasty. Da Lobsta at Chicago French Market and 12 E. Cedar St. has created The PerfectParty with its catered options. Create your own platter featuring a variety of Da Lobsta rolls (Traditional, Asian, Mexican, Green, Indian, Surf & Turf, and The Skinny), awesome sides (Lobster Mac-N-Cheese, Lobster-Crab Spinach Dip, Coleslaw, Spicy Butter Pickles and Cape Cod Chips) and you’ll win the hearts and palates of all of your lucky friends.

February is the perfect time to celebrate great pastries and Delightful Pastries at the Chicago French Market is your go-to spot for picking up gifts that are sure to please your significant other. Delightful will custom create a special Valentine’s gift box or you can pick up one that’s been pre-made with customer favorites. Think chocolates, homemade cookies, homemade truffles and fabulous French macarons in any combination. Also special for Valentine’s Day are Delightful Pastries' luscious extra-large hand-dipped in bittersweet dark chocolate strawberries, available for $2.50 each or a baker’s dozen special (13) for $30 (the extra one is complimentary).

And perhaps the most romantic (and certainly customer favorites) are their heart-shaped chocolate mousse torte for two ($6.75) made with a chocolate mousse and finished off with ganache made with bittersweet Belgian chocolate, and Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Tart ($30.00) with sweet buttery tart dough layered with chocolate ganache and covered in fresh raspberries with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Madison & Rayne has a beautiful 3-course artisan dinner planned for your Valentine's Day. Order by Saturday, February 8 and get ready for a special home-made meal, perfect for foodies, that’s prepped by Chef Josh Jones and cooked at home by you. The cost is $28 per person inclusive. The Valentine’s menu will be delivered on Tuesday, February 11. Delivery is complimentary. Visit MadisonandRayne.com for details.

For those of you not familiar with Madison & Rayne, it’s a new concept in “delivery” where Chef Josh Jones, formerly of Spring restaurant in Chicago, prepares the food and delivers all of the ingredients, complete with a detailed explanation on how to cook the meal. You finish the meal at home. Most meals take between 10-30 minutes from start to finish. All are delicious and costs between $12 to $18 per person.

Madison & Rayne has redefined the cooking experience. It’s like having a personal chef but the chef is you. They make the cooking experience easy. The food is pre-measured, pre-marinated, washed, chopped, sliced, and ingredients are ready for assembly. All you need to do is create a wonderful meal in the comfortable privacy of your own home.

“Think about having a personal shopper, personal assistant, and personal delivery all rolled into one,” says Melanie Mityas, founder and partner. There’s minimal prep and minimal clean-up time, meaning your valuable time is better spent cooking and enjoying dinner. All ingredients and a detailed recipe card are provided - you just need to have basic kitchen tools, and olive oil and seasoning on hand. Josh sources high-quality meats, vegetables and grains from local farms. Madison and Rayne maintains a strong focus on organic and sustainable products and meals are inspired by seasonal produce.

Valentine’s weekend is the perfect time to try Madison & Rayne, especially if you want to avoid packed, expensive and noisy restaurants. Create your own romantic meal at home and spend a leisurely evening with your loved one.

Best Chicago Valentine’s Day Deal $45

Celebrate a romantic Valentine’s Day at Maxwell’s at the Club

Maxwell’s at the Club (500 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60654, (312) 527-5800 x301) is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special prix fixe menu for only $45 per person that includes choice of petite filet and lobster tail, New York strip steak, Chilean Sea Bass or Veal Medallions. The regular Maxwell’s menu also will be available. The special prix fixe dinner menu is available only on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14.

The prix fixe menu features four courses. Choose from Duck Confit, California Sushi Roll, or Grilled Shrimp Diavolo to start. The second course features choice of Roasted Cauliflower and Black Barley Salad, Baby Red Romaine, or Crab Bisque, followed by the entrées featuring choice of Petite Filet and Lobster Tail, New York Strip Steak, Soy-Ginger Chilean Sea Bass, Pan-Seared Veal Medallion, and finally, dessert, Churros with Cinnamon Ice Cream.

Celebrate an Exquisite Valentine’s Weekend at Oceanique

If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience this Valentine’s weekend, look no further than Oceanique (505 Main Street, 847-864-3435) in Evanston. Recognized as the best seafood restaurant in the Chicago area and one of the top in the nation, Chef Mark Grosz has prepared a special meal – perfect for couples wishing to enjoy one of the most delicious and memorable meals ever. Valentine's will be celebrated both Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15.

Planning to pop the question? Think about doing it at Oceanique. The dining room is intimate, the atmosphere is sexy and the service is superb.

The beautiful special Valentine’s menu features five courses with or without a Champagne or wine pairings. The cost is $99 per person without pairings, excluding tax and gratuity. Add an additional $150 per person with Champagne or $69 for the "Intro", $125 for the "Premiere" or $250 for "The Grand wine pairings."

Oceanique serves dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday and from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sundays. For more information or to make reservations, please contact Oceanique at 847-864-3435 or visit the website at www.oceanique.com.

Celebrating Valentine’s weekend (February 14 and 15) with the entire family is always special, and enjoying a great meal with your loved ones makes the day that much better. Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433) Chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris have prepared delicious Valentine’s Weekend specials, including a complimentary heart-shaped cookie for children. The cookie recipe used is Sarah's grandmother's. The regular menu also will be available.

A separate children’s menu is available as is Prairie Grass Cafe’s regular menu. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; the Valentine’s Weekend specials will be available on both Friday and Saturday night (February 14 and 15).

Sarah's Grandmother's Valentine’s Day Heart Cookies

Chef Sarah Stegner and Chef George Bumbaris

Featuring all Natural Icing – No Food Dyes!

1½ cups Flour

¾ tsp. Baking Powder

¼ tsp. Salt

½ cup Sugar

½ cup Butter - Softened

½ Slightly Beaten Farmer’s Egg

1½ Tbsp. Local Cream

½ tsp. Vanilla Extract

Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut the butter into the flour mixture. Add the egg, cream and vanilla. Blend thoroughly. Chill the dough.

Roll the dough out on a floured surface to desired thickness and cut with heart cutter.

Bake cookies at 400° for 8-12 minutes or until very lightly browned around the edges. Allow to cool and frost with natural pink frosting.

Natural Pink Frosting:

½ cup Butter - Softened

3 cups Powdered Sugar

3 Tbsp. Local Cream

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

One small red beet peeled

In a mixer blend the butter and sugar – add the cream and continue to beat until smooth. Add the vanilla and mix well.

Using a coarse microplane grater – grate approximately 2 Tbsp of red beet into frosting. Stir by hand with a rubber spatula till frosting is bright pink.

Transfer the frosting to a sieve and push through using the rubber spatula, leaving the beet pieces in the sieve.

Waterleaf restaurant (425 Fawell Boulevard in Glen Ellyn, Ill, telephone: 630-942-6881), provides the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine experience. The contemporary dining room overlooks a scenic lake nestled on the campus of College of DuPage. The restaurant also features a beautiful fireplace. Waterleaf is now taking reservations for Valentine’s day and the accompanying weekend.

During the entire month of February, celebrate love and romance with an exquisite meal, a bottle of fine wine or a Valentine’s themed martini at Waterleaf. “We want to celebrate the romance of Valentine’s Day all month at Waterleaf,” said Jean Pierre Leroux, General Manager. “There’s no better way to celebrate romance than an evening at Waterleaf.”

Diner’s will select from the ala carte dinner menu.

The adjacent Inn at Water’s Edge offers a Romance Package for the entire month of February.

Celebrate love and romance with an overnight stay at Inn at Water’s Edge.

Book an overnight stay for two and receive:

A bottle of champagne

Chocolate-covered strawberries

Turndown service

Continental breakfast the next morning

The Romance Package is $150 per night plus tax and is available throughout February. Reservations are available by calling (630) 942-6888.

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